To avoid $2 million worth of fines daily, Alexandria Port enlarged

CAIRO – 27 April 2020: Minister of Transportation Kamel al-Wazir stated on Sunday that Alexandria Port pays per day almost $2 million as delay fines because around 30 ships have to wait for long daily to anchor.

This came during the minister's fourth visit to the port in one month to follow-up on expansion, and upgrade works. He pointed out that out of 15 seaports across the country, Alexandria Port is the gate of 40 percent of imports and exports,and handled 157 million tons per annum.

In the visit that took place earlier on Sunday, the minister, accompanied with Head of the Parliamentary Transportation Committee Hisham Abdel Wahed and committee members, checked the construction of a multi-purpose station on quays no. 55 and 62 at a cost of LE6 billion, including LE1 billion for equipment procurement.

The station and quays will be completed by the end of 2021 so that they become ready to receive large cargo ships in the first quarter of 2022, as reported by Al Watan newspaper.

Moreover, the minister followed up on the renovation works – worth LE14.9 million - of a key bridge located in Zone 27 of the port as the progress rate is 25 percent.

Wazir visited the construction site of Quay 85/3 witha length of 433 meters and a cost of LE390.6 million, as the project is 41 percent accomplished. The quay is allocated to handling woods and other general goods, and has a backyard spanning over 35,000 square meters. The construction of the quay will be completedby the end of 2020.

Another project that is underway is a road linking the Port of Alexandria with the International Coastal Highway at Gate 54. The road is expected to smoothen the traffic flow western Alexandria.

The minister told press that Egyptian seaports operate 24/7, highlighting thatEgyptian exports of onion, potato, vegetables, and fruits have increased. He added that ships are not allowed to anchor at quays until all crew members are tested for fever, which is a symptom of COVID-19, in coordination with the doctor of each vessel. Wazirsaid that containers, facilities, and equipment at the port are subject to sterilization regularly.